L frames…

[Model29-26.5]

It’s time to add 586 and 686 to the collection. I don’t have either or anything other than K or N frames.
Anything up to - 4 but looking at no dash as preference.
4” and 6”.
An historic development in the S&W line.
Bidding…. Lets see.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Don't forget the 696, you'll be glad you got one.

eta

There's a 696-1 for sale on this forum.

 

[Krogen]

The 586 is the pinnacle of S&W. Just like Goldilocks and the three bears; it's just right. Don't get me wrong. I love the K and N frames, but the L frame is perfect. S&W hit one out of the park with the 586.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Before you buy, be sure to check out any 586s or 686s that are no dash or -1 versions. They should have an "M" stamped in the yoke to indicate that they were returned to S&W for a modification to change the hammer nose bushing and associated parts. I'm not sure that there is any safety issue if the gun was not modified, but I know that S&W modified a bunch of them, including shipments to the U.S. Customs Service (CS-1). Just FYI. I've always been an N-frame and K-frame guy, but I'm just beginning to discover the attraction of L-frame revolvers. I currently own a 3" 686-6 Plus that's become one of my OWB EDCs. Good hunting!

 

[bananaman]

Yes, there was a recall on 581, 586, 681, and 686 as stated above. .357 Magnum ammo with light bullets caused issues. Knowing that I just never shot those loads. My 586 no dash has not been back for the recall, and I don't plan on doing it. Some people want their guns to be left in original configuration. Bob

 

[Yendor357]

My buddy came over yesterday evening with one of those dreaded MIM/Hilary hole versions of the 686. You know, the ones with the horrible QC?

I’m here to tell you, that is a very fine piece of equipment. The action was slick. Fit and finish were as good as my ‘80s versions. It shot as good as any of my tuned 2020 Pythons.

I have a 686+ Mountain gun on order. Then next up is a 3 inch 686+.

If you’re like me and don’t live where there are elk and bears, the L frame 357 makes total sense. A 170 grain Lyman going 1300 solves a lot of problems.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a 696 and a 686 mtn gun that I like.........I have a 4 in nickel no dash 586 that I bought when they first came out that I don't like the frame or the lugged barrel,,,,,,This one just occupies a spot.....Haven't shot it in 10-12 years.........As as being a "pinacle" of S&W production.........IT's not,,,,,,,,Far from it,

 

[Krogen]

Same here, bananaman. I have 6" 586 no-dash without the recall work. It's never given me a lick of trouble with any ammo I put through it. It had been shot so much in the 80's that it went back to the mothership for repair. They fixed the lead-spitting problem but didn't perform any recall work. They didn't "un-do" the gun's action job either. I was happy on both counts. The repair may have been prior to the recall or they only did it upon request. I can't remember . . . . It's been 40-ish years. The gun still works great.

 

[Model29-26.5]

i have read about the M stamp and will check for it, although it likely won’t get shot a ton. It’ll mostly be for the collection I’m definitely more of a pre 1982 P & R guy but having got enamored with the history and manufacture aspect of S&W, I figure I need a 586.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

Peak L-frames: 686-2 and 681 no-dash/no-M

 

[rwsmith]

The 586 is the pinnacle of S&W. Just like Goldilocks and the three bears; it's just right. Don't get me wrong. I love the K and N frames, but the L frame is perfect. S&W hit one out of the park with the 586.

I won't argue with that, but make my flavor 686 Stainless Steel.

 

[Pizza Bob]

If the goal is to add an L-frame to your collection, there are many interesting ones aside from the ubiquitous 58X/68X series. Here are some from my collection...

Before the Model 69 came along there were four, 5-shot, L-frames in .44 Special

If it's a .357 Mag that you are after, here are some L-frame alternatives

If .38 Special is what trips your trigger, here are two - a 586-4 and a 686-6 That are chambered just for .38 Special

And the last uncommon one that I have is my 646, a six-shot, titanium cylinder, .40 S&W

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[wcat94]

I am considering letting this one go. It has the m stamp, like new with one of the best triggers of any I have. What is the going rate for something like this now?

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Since the 686 & 586 came out I have been a large fan of it. At one time I had 18 of them in my Retirement fund. Have always "HOPED" that Smith would come out with two new ones, GUESS???? I would like to have a 5 shot 45acp and a 7 shot 327 in the L frame. That would make my BULLEYE shooting complete. I have always shot double action in everything Since I was 18. Starting with Bullseye, PPC and anything else that I shot in before and after the birth of the "L" frame. The "K" frame was my first love and still holds a special place in my heart. I sold all my Model 16"s and I was talking with Lee and (can't remember her name) at a gun show in Ohio. I took a 8 3/8" barrel and a 32 Cylinder and a model 10 Frame and Made a 32 mag. They named it John's 10-32 mag, I was proud of that and still have the gun. Have fun Everyone

 

[Model29-26.5]

The fact of the matter is, I’m gonna need six! A glue, nickel and stainless in 4 inch and 6 inch. Something in Me has decided not to go snubby so I have not got any items with less than a 4 inch barrel, and something else inside Me has decided that I will only go 8 inch in N frame. Maybe due to the caliber, white or aesthetic or for whatever reason.

But I will need six.. you know how it is. It becomes some kind of a mission/goal of sorts to finish the set.
OCD pattern recognition.. and a quest

 

[Rock185]

I started carrying a 586 no dash soon after they came out, and had a series of 686s in succeeding years. I soon sold the 586 to a friend and replaced it with my first 686. The 586 , used mostly with Magnum ammo, never gave me a moment's trouble. I don't know what ammo my friend was using in the 586, but he reported having trouble with the primer extruding into the hammer nose bushing, tying up the gun, and sent it in for the "M" modification. I never had that happen with any of the other L-Frames, though out of an abundance of caution, I did send one of my later no dash 686s in. Were I considering acquiring a 586/686 ND or -1 L-Frame now days, I would not care one whit whether or not it had the "M" modification. And if the 586 or 686 had not been sent in, I wouldn't be sending it in. I still have a couple 686s, and like them just as much as I ever did.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

You won't regret a 686. The 586 is beautiful, but stainless is so much less hassle. Yes, stainless can rust but you really have to neglect it for that to happen. I have a snub nose version with wood combats because I occasionally carry it. If you are not planning to carry it, go for the 6" for the velocity. My first was a 4" and while the balance is amazing, if I could go back I would have got a 6" one first and maybe I would still have it.

 

[glshuck]

While both my 586 and 686 are M stamped, I personally would not worry about whether the M stamp recall work had been done or not. You can find the official statement Smith put out at the time with a quick search of the forum or google, but essentially the problem is primers backflowing into the firing pin hole with hot .357 rounds and light bullets. Although that's not good, even in the event that you were to experience such an issue, I can't imagine it would do much beyond locking up your gun. Considering you're talking about buying multiple L frames, I doubt that the intention is to carry one of those guns for personal defense. If you do elect to shoot magnum ammo through a non-recalled gun, I would avoid 125 gr, and I would avoid federal primers as federal primers are typically the softest. (Inversely, federal primers can work in your favor if you're experiencing light primer strikes with a gun).

If you're staying pre-lock, I believe the transition to round butt was at -4. MIM parts and Internal lock come into play around -5.

For standard models, I haven't noticed much if any difference in value from a no-dash through early dash 4. A cool gun to seek out may be the -4 seven shot 686. You can find some later -4 guns that already went to the 7 shot cylinder, but are pre MIM and pre lock. Would only be the last couple of years before the -5 guns came out.

Lots of special models to learn about. Silhouette sights, CS-1, Power Port, Brazilian Contract .38 etc etc.

4" full lug L frames balance extremely well. They are one of my favorite Smiths to shoot. If you don't have bear paws, I think you'll find them more comfortable than N frames.